Biz leaders: Let’s talk about the real solution

(Editor’s note: This commentary was written by a consortium of Arizona business leaders. Signatories to this commentary are listed below.)

The failure of the federal government to fix our broken immigration system has led to recent actions on immigration by Arizona’s policymakers. What we have now is a divisive, emotionally charged environment that is tearing at the fabric of Arizona’s sense of community and threatening the essence of our historically diverse culture. Regardless of how individuals feel about Arizona’s immigration laws, the negative, unintended consequences such as damaging our relationship with our largest trading partner, creating tension in our communities and generating calls for inappropriate boycotts, are significant.

The people of Arizona, like the people in all states, have every reason to be frustrated that our elected officials in Washington haven’t fixed our broken immigration system. It is a federal responsibility. Arizona cannot truly solve the set of complex issues that make up the immigration debate. The federal government must deal with border security, immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, and the economic realities that drive immigration.

The real solution is federal immigration reform.

The business community of Arizona believes that the time is now for a real solution and supports four specific reform components: First and foremost, strengthen border security; create a secure system for all employers nationwide to verify the legal work eligibility for employees; require immigrants already in the U.S. illegally with no criminal record to register for a federally established form of legal status, to learn English, and to pay appropriate penalties and taxes; and grow the economy by establishing a market?based immigration process that supports a range of workforce needs from seasonal to highly skilled workers, and entrepreneurs.

We are a nation of immigrants that needs a working immigration system. We are a state of immigrants that deserves to enjoy the rich diversity that is our heritage. These are not new ideas, but we need to act now. Please join us in asking the president and Congress to act quickly to create a viable national immigration system.

One comment

Border security is an ill-fated illusion, please don’t reinforce the lunacy that brought us to this precipice. It is mostly due to the constant droning, that the chants of “secure the border” have almost ruined our border.